GABRIELE ANDERSON

Cool story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune about runner Gabriele Anderson and her dreams of the Olympics linked here.

AAU BASKETBALL IN IOWA

The Des Moines Register printed an interesting article about AAU basketball in Iowa linked here.

STORM LAKE TEACHER LEAVES UNIFYING LEGACY

Please read this article about Storm Lake's Brent Croker, an inspirational teacher, father, husband, and person linked here

THE GREATEST COACH EVER

Yesterday (June 24) marked the tragic day 3 years ago (2009) when Aplington-Parkersburg football coach, teacher, and mentor Ed Thomas was shot and killed at the school's weight room.  He is perhaps one of the greatest coaches that Iowa high schools have ever seen, in any sport and at any level.  Even more than that, he is one of the greatest coaches that high schools in this country have ever seen.  More important than any wins on the playing field is the impact that he had on the lives of so many people.  He will always be remembered and honored.  A book called The Sacred Acre has been written about him, and many stories and videos have been documented as well.  Please take a look at this ESPN video of Ed Thomas.

TAKING RISKS

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

"People that take risks can become stars; people who don't, can't."  --Bobby Flay

LEBRON AND THE HEAT

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

LeBron James and the Miami Heat are NBA champions.  There are so many awesome quotes and stories from a memorable NBA postseason, but here's a great quote from the champion in a CNNSI article linked here:

"Everything that went along with me being a high school prodigy when I was 16 and on the cover of Sports Illustrated, to being drafted and having to be the face of a franchise, everything that came with it, I had to deal with and I had to learn through it. No one had went through that journey, so I had to learn on my own. All the ups and downs, everything that came along with it, I had to basically figure it out on my own. I'm happy now that nine years since I've been drafted, that I can finally say that I'm a champion, and I did it the right way. I didn't shortcut anything. I put a lot of hard work and dedication in it, and hard work pays off.''  --LeBron James

A LOOK INSIDE CAMERON INDOOR STADIUM

Thanks again to Carolyn (one of our upcoming seniors) for passing along these photos.  Check it out...some pictures inside of Duke's iconic landmark, Cameron Indoor Stadium.  Awesome!